The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Emily M. during the 2007-2008 League.
Civil Government
Why do we have civil government? What is the purpose of nations being ruled by mere men, people who are just as fallible as we are? Wouldn't we be better off without human governments? Acts 5:9 (NIV) says, "We ought to obey God rather than men." So, why should we, as Christians, obey government?
First, as Christians we ought to obey government because its authority comes from God. Romans 13:1 (HCSB) says, "Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God and those that exist are instituted by God." Also in Daniel 2:21 (NIV), "He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them." Why would God set up such an institution? Romans 13:3-7 (HCSB) gives this answer, "For rulers are not a terror to good conduct but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do good and you will have its approval. For government is God's servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God's servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong." Government was created by God to protect us, and to punish wrongdoing. It is an agent, or a servant as the verse says, to do His will and to bring good to those who do what is right.
Consequently, since government is an institution set up by God, and is a servant of God for our benefit, we are supposed to respect and submit to our government's authority. The continuation of the verse in Romans 13 has this to say, "This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor," (Romans 13:6-7 NIV). Also in I Peter 2:13 (NIV), "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men."
We are also suppose to pray for our leaders. I Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) says, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."
However, governments, can abuse the authority given to them by God. When a government rules in a way that is contrary to God's law, we are in no way obligated to submit to it. That is when the verse that says, "we ought to obey God rather than man," (Acts 5:9 NIV) comes into play. If the people overthrow a wicked and tyrannical government, they will have God's blessing so long as they obey His word. When a government or the people trying to establish a new government, rebel against God, they are subject to His judgment. In Jeremiah 18: 7-10 (NIV) God said, "If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it."
We, as Christians, should also be good citizens, since we believe that governments are institutions set up by God for our benefit. When we live godly lives, we will bring prosperity to our nation. "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people," (Proverbs 14:34 NIV).
Finally, if our country is not following God like it should be, we can take a stand and bring our nation before God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." That is a promise, God looks after His people and their governments.
